Engage your theological imagination and craft your public voice through creative writing! The Doctor of Ministry program invites students into a community of inquiry that accepts the unfinishedness of both theology and creative writing. During this hybrid program, you will explore the fluid dimensions of faith and the complexities of your vocational context with your cohort, our faculty, and the reading public. At the end of your coursework, you will write a publishable manuscript that engages your vocational context in conversation with your coursework. You will also produce a statement of vocation in public theology and offer a public reading and discussion of your creative work.
The Theological Content courses are held in person at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa., and St. Petersburg, Fla., during alternating one-week blocks of time in January and June. These are followed by 10-week online workshops dedicated to the Craft of Writing in different genres.
Date | Course |
June 17-21, 2024 | Voice, Faith, and Place in Public Theology and Creative Writing Donna Giver-Johnston, Ph.D. and Liberty Ferda, Ph.D. |
July 29- Oct. 11, 2024 (Group A) |
Bearing Witness, Writing Trauma: Creative Nonfiction Peter Trachtenberg, Ph.D. |
July 29-Oct. 11, 2024 (Group B) |
Experimental Prose and Poetry Diane Glancy Ph.D. |
July 29-Oct. 11, 2024 (Group C) |
Short Story: Fiction Jimmy Cajoleas, Ph.D. |
Jan. 20-24, 2025 | TBD |
Feb. 24-May 9, 2025 (Group A) |
Poetry Lori Jakiela, Ph.D. |
Feb. 24-May 9, 2025 (Group B) |
Multi-genre Spiritual Writing Isaac Anderson, Ph.D. |
June 16-20, 2025 | Thomas Merton: Monk, Poet, and Social Critic L. Roger Owens, Ph.D. |
Aug. 4-Oct. 17, 2025 (Group A) |
Memoir Lori Jakiela, Ph.D. |
Aug. 4-Oct. 17, 2025 (Group B) |
Writing for Children Melissa Butler, Ph.D. |
Jan. 19-23, 2026 Florida |
Theology, Ecology, and Writing Andrea Lloyd, Ph.D. and Andy Nagy-Benson, D.Min. |
Feb. 23-May 8, 2026 (Group A) |
Creative Writing in the Public: Launching Your Work into the World Jimmy Cajoleas, Ph.D. |
Feb. 23-May 8, 2026 (Group B) |
Creative Writing in the Public: Launching Your Work into the World Melissa Butler, Ph.D. |
June 15-19, 2026 | Bible, Storytelling and the Christian Imagination Kim Russaw, Ph.D. and Ervin Dyer, Ph.D. |
Aug. 3-Oct. 16, 2026 | Manuscript Writing PART ONE Melissa Butler, Ph.D., Lori Jakiela, Ph.D., Jimmy Cajoleas, Ph.D., Peter Trachtenberg, Ph.D. |
Feb. 16-May 8, 2027 | Manuscript Writing PART TWO Melissa Butler, Ph.D., Lori Jakiela, Ph.D., Jimmy Cajoleas, Ph.D., Peter Trachtenberg, Ph.D. |
October 2026-May 2027 (or October 2026-May 2028) |
Final Project (6 Credits) |
Connect with the Doctor of Ministry Office to learn more about our next Creative Writing and Public Theology cohort. We'd love to have you join us! Apply now to reserve your space in a future focus. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.